This is a very forward-thinking clarinet that solves some very long-standing problems with intonation. But, I'm getting ahead of myself.

The Firebird is one of my favorite new instruments. I love the way it sounds, in no small part because of the really clever key mechanisms that open the instrument up in a way I've never heard or seen before.

Cool, so what's the big deal? Number one cool feature: The double-register mechanism that is like a miniature version of the Bass Clarinet double-register key...sort of. When you play a throat Bb on just about every Bb clarinet it is stuffy, because the position and size of the register key hole is not conducive to a lovely Bb — it hisses. So we use resonance fingerings (if you know, you know) to solve for that. But —get this— what if you didn't have to use resonance fingerings? Omifreakingod, the Firebird's Bb alone is worth trying this instrument for.

But wait there's more: Number two is the G/D vent on the lower joint that (optionally!) enables you to vent the instrument in one extra place, right below the Low F tonehole. So what, you ask? You've got to feel and hear it to believe it. It opens up the second register of the clarinet and the thing just sings.

I'm also a fan of the ergonomically designed register key. For those of us with bigger thumbs, it's nice to meet a nice, plump end of the key that doesn't force you to twist your thumb vertically to activate it. Big fan. Everyone else, please take notice. This is how you do a register key.

Intonation is solid across the board — the cleanest scale I've tested at this price point. Articulation scored 99/100 in the dashboard, which puts it in the top tier of everything I've fingerprinted. Tonally medium-bright, consistent register to register, and no intonation issues worth mentioning. This is what a modern clarinet design looks like when someone actually thinks through the engineering.

The Firebird sits at the low end of the professional tier — and holds its own while competing with clarinets that cost twice as much. Needless to say, I'm super impressed with Royal, and the Firebird clarinet in particular.

Resistance: 5/10, Medium

Playing the Firebird feels similar to the Buffet Festival: nice clean sound with a lot of color.

In general, more resistance in a clarinet design usually keeps the louder dynamic ranges from spreading; the clarinet "holds its core" and focus, but will provide a smaller dynamic range (on both ends, loud and soft) and smaller color palette. A less resistant clarinet typically provides a much wider tonal palette to choose from, but will require more control from the player to control pitch and sound consistency.

When listening for how a clarinet responds to added air pressure and embouchure control, listen to the Weber example (wide dynamic range and color range), then the Berlioz excerpt (wide dynamic range, but narrow color range), and finally the Gershwin excerpt (narrow dynamic range and narrow color range). You will hear how these clarinets respond — for better or worse! — to my input as a clarinet player.